Dragons edge Titans in race to the line

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright says referees only have themselves to blame for the surge in dissent, an offence for which Chris Sandow and Nate Myles were sent to the sin bin on Sunday. “If they’re going to start sin-binning blokes for abusing referees, we’re not going to have many players left on the field, are we?” Cartwright said after his side’s 19-18 loss to St George Illawarra.

He then told Triple M: “The referees have let it get to this stage where players talk to them the way they do. I don’t know what the answer is.” Myles, who dropped the F bomb in his initial comments to Gerard Sutton, kept going after being told he was being given a spell. Dragons players were oblivious to the drama. “I sent a message out saying they were down to 12,” coach Paul McGregor said.

F bomber: Titans player Nate Myles was given a spell in the sin bin but kept talking back to the referee. Photo: Getty Images

2. It's too quiet

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One shudders to think what the attendance would have been at CBUS Super Stadium yesterday had Gold Coast’s opponents not been the ever-popular St George Illawarra. The Dragons accounted for a huge chunk of the 12,189 crowd. The Titans are losing the battle with the AFL’s Suns by a fair margin. “The boys warmed up out there but I didn’t go out,” said Dragons coach Paul McGregor.

“I walked into the box and [looking around] I thought it was a home game for a minute. I think we had more supporters than them, to be honest, and in really big bunches. Those people are what the game needs and what we need as a club.”

Back in action: Jamal Idris turned out for Penrith’s NSW Cup team on Sunday.

3. Shaking up Origin

In 1980, when the interstate series was a dead rubber, they played an experimental game for the third match. State of Origin was born. So why don’t we do the opposite this year and play game three under residential rules?

Players are having second thoughts about blocking next year’s proposed Great Britain Lions tour of Australia. As we have previously reported, the ARL Commission have so far refused to host Great Britain’s first games since 2007 because the RLPA is demanding the spring off.

But an itinerary that includes old-fashioned midweek matches and stops in rural areas for the tourists is tugging at the heart-strings of some of the game’s stars and they may yet acquiesce. We are also hearing whispers of an Indigenous All Stars v Maori game in September.

5. Fanning the flames

Have Canberra signed Hull KR hooker Josh Hodgson or not? Hodgson actually helped spread the rumour by denying it on Twitter late last week, saying: “Hull loves a rumour haha keen to play in oz one day but focusing on playing for Hull KR and captaining the team”.

The Hull Daily Mail reported at the weekend that the Robins would demand a “six-figure” release fee if Hodgson – under contact for two more years – was to head to the ACT. Remember when Hull FC winger Tom Briscoe was “nailed on” for Cronulla? He went to Leeds instead.

6. Jamal back in action

It remains to be seen whether Jamal Idris did enough in his return for Penrith’s NSW Cup team on Sunday to convince Panthers coach Ivan Cleary to include him in the team for next weekend’s match against the Warriors. Cleary was on hand at North Sydney Oval to watch Idris help Penrith to a 32-28 win over the Bears in his first match since being stood down last month by the Panthers to help him deal with personal issues.

While he had some strong carries, Idris never threatened to break the line and made several errors, including a dropped ball and a wayward offload but he was happy to play the full 80 minutes.

15 comments so far

A Lions tour, don't the players want to earn some easy cash. Test matches players get paid about 40K per test now. 40K X 3 equals 120K, good coin. Plus the TV ratings will be good. Have the tests in Canberra,Melbourne at AAMI park,Townsville,Newcastle, smaller cities and regional centres if the Sydney fans won't turn up. Surprised the RLPA would say no to a pay day for it's players, 3 tests, 3 weeks work ,walk away with 100 grand or so per player. Take the easy money if you can get it.

Commenter

Lance

Location

Sydney

Date and time

June 22, 2014, 11:37PM

Not sure it'd be such easy money. The Lions lads would want to win and they'd be very competitive.

Most of the boys just want some time off with their families, get the surgery and out of the way and the rehab underway.

Another three weeks work isn't a great draw.

That said, I think the tour would be a good thing.

Commenter

Canberra Sea Eagle

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 8:14AM

They have time to see there families anytime. Im sure a quick fire 100K for 3-weeks work would make there families happy. Plenty of aussie cricket players who play in the T20 IPL in India have families, and there families don't complain there away earning good coin for them.

Commenter

Sam

Location

Woden

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 10:52AM

Cartwright is absolutely correct. The ref call the vplayer by his last name and the player should call him Ref.

Commenter

Yes Sir

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 4:24AM

While players moan about amount of rep footie and want time off / stand alone weekends etc etc why is there a "dead" rubber game apart from the money angle?There is nothing at stake except pride yet players like Thurston,Boyd and Gallon will leave their struggling clubs to play a match of no significance as the series has been decided.Maybe its time they pay more attention to the clubs paying them and if there has to be a "dead" game let the coaches blood some youngsters with an eye to future.Time to only have a third Origin if a decider is required.

Commenter

Jacko

Location

NZ

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 7:15AM

Cartwright's comments suggest that he takes no responsibility for the behaviour of the players that he coaches.I would agree to the point that referees' continuing high level of tolerance (or is it sympathy ?) regarding the manner in which both Michael Ennis and Paul Gallen cry like spoilt children could in some way be seen as a green light for petulance and unsportsmanlike conduct, however players (and coaches) must take responsibility for their own actions and stop trying to pass the blame onto others.Perhaps if Cartwright gets pulled by the police for speeding or drink driving he could try the "everyone else is doing and you blokes let them get away with it" excuse but it is likely to be less successful as his coaching record with the Titans..

BTW re the crowd or lack thereof...the cheapest ticket is $25 plus over $5 in fees whilst a soft drink is $5 and either a pie with sauce, serve of chips or sandwich will cost you more than $5.... I am not a drinker but I am pretty sure a beer would not see much change from a $10 note.Great Stadium to watch sport but overpriced and with little nearby other than a transport hub.

Commenter

Ordinary Bloke

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 7:22AM

You cant afford $30 for the footy once, twice or thrice per year? Cmon mate, ordinary excuse. Im sure the Titans offer some sort of membership deals with cheaper tix.

Commenter

jg

Location

Canberra

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 7:19PM

I guess you don't have kids jg.

Commenter

Ordinary Bloke

Date and time

June 25, 2014, 9:37AM

True "residents" teams would include Kiwis and Poms wouldn't they?

Commenter

Jimbob

Date and time

June 23, 2014, 8:13AM

A superiority that Rugby has over League in its officiating (probably the only superiority) is that the players never call the referee by his name, and the referee never refers to the players by their name. The players shouldn't be people to the referee. They should just be objects that either comply with his interpretation of the rules, or they don't, as such they shouldnt need names. Maroon 5, Blue 12 should be sufficient designation. Not sure if it'd help, but when the referee asks "Paul" "Jonathan" or "Cameron" to keep their team in line, it sounds like he's asking for a favour from a mate, not issuing an order as a referee.